The University of Chicago Header Logo

Mostafa El Dafrawy

TitleAssistant Professor
InstitutionUniversity of Chicago
DepartmentOrthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine
AddressChicago IL 60637
vCardDownload vCard

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse overview
    Orthopaedic surgeon Mostafa El Dafrawy, MBBCh, provides comprehensive spine care to patients with a wide range of spine conditions. Dr. El Dafrawy specializes in complex spinal deformities, spine trauma, degenerative disorders of the cervical and thoraco-lumbar spine, and spinal tumors.

    With his expertise in revision spine surgery and spinal reconstruction, Dr. El Dafrawy enhances the lives of his patients by restoring mobility and reducing back pain. He is thrilled to be able to offer spine deformity surgeries and revision surgeries for patients who had a failed back surgery or developed flat back syndrome.

    As a physician-scientist, Dr. El Dafrawy is also committed to using basic, clinical and transitional research to investigate novel therapies for spine patients to improve their overall quality of life. His research interests include: adult degenerative scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis and flat back deformities as well as spine tumors, particularly the treatment and management of metastatic spine disease. He has authored numerous research publications and book chapters, and his work has been published in highly respected, peer-reviewed journals, such as Spine, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Spine Deformity, Journal of Neurosurgery Spine and Orthopedics.

    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    Washington University in Saint Louis , Saint LouisSpine Surgery Fellowship08/2019Complex Adult and Pediatric Spine reconstruction
    The Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MDOrthopaedic Surgery Residency07/2018Orthopaedic Surgery
    The Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MDGeneral Surgery Internship07/2013General Surgery Internship
    Cairo University Hospital, Cairo, EgyptOrthopaedic Surgery Residency05/2010Orthopaedic Surgery
    The Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, MDResearch Fellowship07/2012Spine Surgery Research Fellowship

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
    Newest   |   Oldest   |   Most Cited   |   Most Discussed   |   Timeline   |   Field Summary   |   Plain Text
    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Benson D, Litvak A, Zhang D, Johnson C, El Dafrawy M, Lee M. Duration and Magnitude of Opioid Use After Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2023 Dec 11. PMID: 38073155.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    2. Portney DA, Baker HP, Selkridge I, El Dafrawy MH, Strelzow JA. Firearm-Related Injuries-Wound Management, Stabilization, and Associated Injuries: A Critical Analysis Review. JBJS Rev. 2023 Jan 01; 11(1). PMID: 36722822.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    3. Seidel HD, Pirkle S, Bhattacharjee S, Baker HP, Lee MJ, El Dafrawy MH. Rates of Future Lumbar Fusion in Patients with Cauda Equina Syndrome Treated With Decompression. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2022 Nov 01; 6(11). PMID: 36322672; PMCID: PMC9633085.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    4. Dahm J, Nwaudo D, Gooi Z, Lee M, El Dafrawy M. Migration of an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Screw into the Constrictor Muscle of the Hypopharynx: A Case Report. JBJS Case Connect. 2021 05 19; 11(2). PMID: 34010178.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    5. Pirkle S, Bhattacharjee S, El Dafrawy M, Leucht P, Shi LL, Lee MJ. The Influence of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors on Lumbar Arthrodesis. Clin Spine Surg. 2021 05 01; 34(4):E200-E204. PMID: 32991364.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    6. Zhao X, Hu DA, Wu D, He F, Wang H, Huang L, Shi D, Liu Q, Ni N, Pakvasa M, Zhang Y, Fu K, Qin KH, Li AJ, Hagag O, Wang EJ, Sabharwal M, Wagstaff W, Reid RR, Lee MJ, Wolf JM, El Dafrawy M, Hynes K, Strelzow J, Ho SH, He TC, Athiviraham A. Applications of Biocompatible Scaffold Materials in Stem Cell-Based Cartilage Tissue Engineering. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2021; 9:603444. PMID: 33842441; PMCID: PMC8026885.
      Citations: 21     
    7. Luo W, Zhang L, Huang B, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Zhang F, Liang P, Chen Q, Cheng Q, Tan D, Tan Y, Song J, Zhao T, Haydon RC, Reid RR, Luu HH, Lee MJ, El Dafrawy M, Ji P, He TC, Gou L. BMP9-initiated osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of mouse tooth germ mesenchymal cells (TGMCS) requires Wnt/ß-catenin signalling activity. J Cell Mol Med. 2021 03; 25(5):2666-2678. PMID: 33605035; PMCID: PMC7933933.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    8. Seidel H, Bhattacharjee S, Pirkle S, Shi L, Strelzow J, Lee M, El Dafrawy M. Long-term rates of bladder dysfunction after decompression in patients with cauda equina syndrome. Spine J. 2021 05; 21(5):803-809. PMID: 33434651.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    9. Zhang Y, Wu D, Zhao X, Pakvasa M, Tucker AB, Luo H, Qin KH, Hu DA, Wang EJ, Li AJ, Zhang M, Mao Y, Sabharwal M, He F, Niu C, Wang H, Huang L, Shi D, Liu Q, Ni N, Fu K, Chen C, Wagstaff W, Reid RR, Athiviraham A, Ho S, Lee MJ, Hynes K, Strelzow J, He TC, El Dafrawy M. Stem Cell-Friendly Scaffold Biomaterials: Applications for Bone Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020; 8:598607. PMID: 33381499; PMCID: PMC7767872.
      Citations: 28     
    10. Huang X, Chen Q, Luo W, Pakvasa M, Zhang Y, Zheng L, Li S, Yang Z, Zeng H, Liang F, Zhang F, Hu DA, Qin KH, Wang EJ, Qin DS, Reid RR, He TC, Athiviraham A, El Dafrawy M, Zhang H. SATB2: A versatile transcriptional regulator of craniofacial and skeleton development, neurogenesis and tumorigenesis, and its applications in regenerative medicine. Genes Dis. 2022 Jan; 9(1):95-107. PMID: 35005110; PMCID: PMC8720659.
      Citations: 11     
    11. He F, Ni N, Zeng Z, Wu D, Feng Y, Li AJ, Luu B, Li AF, Qin K, Wang E, Wang X, Wu X, Luo H, Zhang J, Zhang M, Mao Y, Pakvasa M, Wagstaff W, Zhang Y, Niu C, Wang H, Huang L, Shi D, Liu Q, Zhao X, Fu K, Reid RR, Wolf JM, Lee MJ, Hynes K, Strelzow J, El Dafrawy M, Gan H, He TC, Fan J. FAMSi: A Synthetic Biology Approach to the Fast Assembly of Multiplex siRNAs for Silencing Gene Expression in Mammalian Cells. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids. 2020 Dec 04; 22:885-899. PMID: 33230483; PMCID: PMC7658575.
      Citations: 14     
    12. El Dafrawy MH, Adogwa O, Wegner AM, Pallotta NA, Kelly MP, Kebaish KM, Bridwell KH, Gupta MC. Comprehensive classification system for multirod constructs across three-column osteotomies: a reliability study. J Neurosurg Spine. 2020 Oct 09; 34(1):103-109. PMID: 33036005.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    
    13. El Dafrawy M, Bridwell K, Adogwa O, Shlykov M, Koscso J, Lenke LG, Lertudomphonwanit T, Kelly MP, Gupta M. Rod fractures and nonunions after long fusion to the sacrum for primary presentation adult spinal deformity: a comparison with and without interbody fusion in the distal lumbar spine. Spine Deform. 2021 01; 9(1):231-237. PMID: 32725494.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    14. Raad M, Harris AB, Puvanesarajah V, El Dafrawy MH, Kebaish FN, Neuman BJ, Skolasky RL, Cohen DB, Kebaish KM. Preoperative patient expectations and pain improvement after adult spinal deformity surgery. J Neurosurg Spine. 2020 Jun 12; 1-6. PMID: 32534485.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    
    15. Wang X, Zhao L, Wu X, Luo H, Wu D, Zhang M, Zhang J, Pakvasa M, Wagstaff W, He F, Mao Y, Zhang Y, Niu C, Wu M, Zhao X, Wang H, Huang L, Shi D, Liu Q, Ni N, Fu K, Hynes K, Strelzow J, El Dafrawy M, He TC, Qi H, Zeng Z. Development of a simplified and inexpensive RNA depletion method for plasmid DNA purification using size selection magnetic beads (SSMBs). Genes Dis. 2021 May; 8(3):298-306. PMID: 33997177; PMCID: PMC8093646.
      Citations: 12     
    16. Pakvasa M, Haravu P, Boachie-Mensah M, Jones A, Coalson E, Liao J, Zeng Z, Wu D, Qin K, Wu X, Luo H, Zhang J, Zhang M, He F, Mao Y, Zhang Y, Niu C, Wu M, Zhao X, Wang H, Huang L, Shi D, Liu Q, Ni N, Fu K, Lee MJ, Wolf JM, Athiviraham A, Ho SS, He TC, Hynes K, Strelzow J, El Dafrawy M, Reid RR. Notch signaling: Its essential roles in bone and craniofacial development. Genes Dis. 2021 Jan; 8(1):8-24. PMID: 33569510; PMCID: PMC7859553.
      Citations: 22     
    17. Zhang B, Yang L, Zeng Z, Feng Y, Wang X, Wu X, Luo H, Zhang J, Zhang M, Pakvasa M, Wagstaff W, He F, Mao Y, Qin K, Ding H, Zhang Y, Niu C, Wu M, Zhao X, Wang H, Huang L, Shi D, Liu Q, Ni N, Fu K, Athiviraham A, Moriatis Wolf J, Lee MJ, Hynes K, Strelzow J, El Dafrawy M, Xia Y, He TC. Leptin Potentiates BMP9-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through the Activation of JAK/STAT Signaling. Stem Cells Dev. 2020 04 15; 29(8):498-510. PMID: 32041483; PMCID: PMC7153647.
      Citations: 28     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    18. Klyce W, Nhan DT, Dunham AM, El Dafrawy MH, Shannon C, LaPorte DM. The Times, They Are A-Changing: Women Entering Academic Orthopedics Today Are Choosing Nonpediatric Fellowships at a Growing Rate. J Surg Educ. 2020 May - Jun; 77(3):564-571. PMID: 31932218.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    19. El Dafrawy MH, Raad M, Okafor L, Kebaish KM. Sacropelvic Fixation: A Comprehensive Review. Spine Deform. 2019 Jul; 7(4):509-516. PMID: 31981134.
      Citations:    
    20. Mitchell SL, Donaldson CJ, El Dafrawy MH, Kebaish KM. Difficulties in Treating Postirradiation Kyphosis in Adults: A Series of Five Cases. Spine Deform. 2019 Nov; 7(6):937-944. PMID: 31974987.
      Citations:    
    21. El Dafrawy MH, Shafiq B, Vaswani R, Osgood GM, Hasenboehler EA, Kebaish KM. Minimally Invasive Fixation for Spinopelvic Dissociation: Percutaneous Triangular Osteosynthesis with S2 Alar-Iliac and Iliosacral Screws: A Case Report. JBJS Case Connect. 2019 Dec; 9(4):e0119. PMID: 31833978.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    22. Mitchell SL, Donaldson CJ, El Dafrawy MH, Kebaish KM. Difficulties in Treating Postirradiation Kyphosis in Adults: A Series of Five Cases. Spine Deform. 2019 11; 7(6):937-944. PMID: 31732005.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    23. Adogwa O, Buchowski JM, Lenke LG, Shlykov MA, El Dafrawy M, Lertudomphonwanit T, Obey MR, Koscso J, Gupta MC, Bridwell KH. Comparison of rod fracture rates in long spinal deformity constructs after transforaminal versus anterior lumbar interbody fusions: a single-institution analysis. J Neurosurg Spine. 2019 Oct 11; 1-8. PMID: 31604326.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    
    24. Raad M, Puvanesarajah V, Harris A, El Dafrawy MH, Khashan M, Jain A, Hassanzadeh H, Kebaish KM. The learning curve for performing three-column osteotomies in adult spinal deformity patients: one surgeon's experience with 197 cases. Spine J. 2019 12; 19(12):1926-1933. PMID: 31310816.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    25. El Dafrawy MH, Raad M, Okafor L, Kebaish KM. Sacropelvic Fixation: A Comprehensive Review. Spine Deform. 2019 07; 7(4):509-516. PMID: 31202365.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. Feder OI, El Dafrawy MH, Morris CD. Pelvis allograft with constrained total hip arthroplasty for shoulder reconstruction. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2019 03; 28(3):e92-e96. PMID: 30771828.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    
    27. Khashan M, Raad M, El Dafrawy MH, Puvanesarajah V, Kebaish KM. Postoperative changes in neurological function after 3-column osteotomy: risk factor analysis of 199 patients. J Neurosurg Spine. 2019 Feb 08; 1-6. PMID: 30738395.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    
    28. Raad M, Reidler JS, El Dafrawy MH, Amin RM, Jain A, Neuman BJ, Riley LH, Sciubba DM, Kebaish KM, Skolasky RL. US regional variations in rates, outcomes, and costs of spinal arthrodesis for lumbar spinal stenosis in working adults aged 40-65 years. J Neurosurg Spine. 2018 11 02; 30(1):83-90. PMID: 30485187.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    29. Raad M, Donaldson CJ, El Dafrawy MH, Sciubba DM, Riley LH, Neuman BJ, Kebaish KM, Skolasky RL. Trends in isolated lumbar spinal stenosis surgery among working US adults aged 40-64 years, 2010-2014. J Neurosurg Spine. 2018 08; 29(2):169-175. PMID: 29799337.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    30. El Dafrawy MH, Strike SA, Osgood GM. Use of the S3 Corridor for Iliosacral Fixation in a Dysmorphic Sacrum: A Case Report. JBJS Case Connect. 2017 Jul-Sep; 7(3):e62. PMID: 29252891.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    31. Ponnusamy KE, Naseer Z, El Dafrawy MH, Okafor L, Alexander C, Sterling RS, Khanuja HS, Skolasky RL. Post-Discharge Care Duration, Charges, and Outcomes Among Medicare Patients After Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2017 Jun 07; 99(11):e55. PMID: 28590385.
      Citations: 20     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    32. Lopez J, Ahmed R, Bae S, Hicks CW, El Dafrawy M, Osgood GM, Segev DL. A New Culture of Transparency: Industry Payments to Orthopedic Surgeons. Orthopedics. 2016 Nov 01; 39(6):e1058-e1062. PMID: 27459138.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    33. Mesfin A, El Dafrawy MH, Jain A, Hassanzadeh H, Kebaish KM. Total En Bloc Spondylectomy for Primary and Metastatic Spine Tumors. Orthopedics. 2015 Nov; 38(11):e995-e1000. PMID: 26558680.
      Citations: 17     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    34. El Dafrawy MH, Osgood GM. Retrieval of broken iliosacral screws: the power of a push screw. Injury. 2015 Jul; 46(7):1411-6. PMID: 25986663.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    35. Mesfin A, El Dafrawy MH, Jain A, Hassanzadeh H, Kostuik JP, Lemma MA, Kebaish KM. Surgical outcomes of long spinal fusions for scoliosis in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Neurosurg Spine. 2015 Apr; 22(4):367-73. PMID: 25658465.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    36. El Dafrawy MH, Kebaish KM. Percutaneous S2 alar iliac fixation for pelvic insufficiency fracture. Orthopedics. 2014 Nov; 37(11):e1033-5. PMID: 25361366.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    37. El Dafrawy M, Baras A, Ahuja N. Firm flank mass decreasing in size after pregnancy. JAMA Surg. 2014 Oct; 149(10):1089-90. PMID: 25162611.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    38. Hassanzadeh H, Jain A, El Dafrawy MH, Ain MC, Skolasky RL, Kebaish KM. Clinical Results and Functional Outcomes in Adult Patients After Revision Surgery for Spinal Deformity Correction: Patients Younger than 65 Years Versus 65 Years and Older. Spine Deform. 2013 Sep; 1(5):371-376. PMID: 27927395.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    
    39. Hassanzadeh H, Jain A, El Dafrawy MH, Mesfin A, Neubauer PR, Skolasky RL, Kebaish KM. Clinical results and functional outcomes of primary and revision spinal deformity surgery in adults. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013 Aug 07; 95(15):1413-9. PMID: 23925747.
      Citations: 16     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    40. Hassanzadeh H, Gupta S, Jain A, El Dafrawy MH, Skolasky RL, Kebaish KM. Type of Anchor at the Proximal Fusion Level Has a Significant Effect on the Incidence of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and Outcome in Adults After Long Posterior Spinal Fusion. Spine Deform. 2013 Jul; 1(4):299-305. PMID: 27927362.
      Citations: 34     Fields:    
    41. Hassanzadeh H, Jain A, El Dafrawy MH, Ain MC, Mesfin A, Skolasky RL, Kebaish KM. Three-column osteotomies in the treatment of spinal deformity in adult patients 60 years old and older: outcome and complications. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Apr 20; 38(9):726-31. PMID: 23138408.
      Citations: 41     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    42. Hassanzadeh H, Gjolaj JP, El Dafrawy MH, Jain A, Skolasky RL, Cohen DB, Kebaish KM. The timing of surgical staging has a significant impact on the complications and functional outcomes of adult spinal deformity surgery. Spine J. 2013 Dec; 13(12):1717-22. PMID: 23602375.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    43. Malloy JP, Dalling JG, El Dafrawy MH, Bustillo JS, Reid JS. Tibiofibular bone-bridging osteoplasty in transtibial amputation: case report and description of technique. J Surg Orthop Adv. 2012; 21(4):270-4. PMID: 23327855.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    El Dafrawy's Networks
    Click the
    Explore
    buttons for more information and interactive visualizations!
    Concepts (132)
    Explore
    _
    Co-Authors (9)
    Explore
    _
    Similar People (60)
    Explore
    _
    Same Department Expand Description
    Explore
    _
    Physical Neighbors
    _